The Metropolis of Bessarabia accused the Synod of the Moldovan Church of canonical violations

The Metropolis of Bessarabia of the Romanian Patriarchate has strongly criticized the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova. The official statement refers to the «hypocritical and canonically unfounded» nature of the recent communiqué of the Moldovan Synod, as well as the invalidity of the sanctions it imposed on priests who had converted to the Romanian Church.

In its detailed response, published on its official website, the Metropolia of Bessarabia expresses concern and regret over the «contradictory and devoid of ecclesiastical grounds tone» of the PCM statement. First of all, the very name «Orthodox Church of Moldova» is disputed, which, according to the Metropolia of Bessarabia, is historically and canonically incorrect and misleads the public by claiming to represent the entire Orthodox community of the country.

The Metropolia of Bessarabia notes that the Synod of the Moldovan Church formally condemns interference in politics, but this statement is not backed up by actual disciplinary measures against those hierarchs and priests previously involved in political agitation. «On the contrary, some of the hierarchs and priests who were actively involved in election campaigns were subsequently promoted to various synodal commissions and structures,» the statement said. This is seen as «a new manifestation of duplicity and moral falsity.»

A key point of contention has been the canonical measures taken against clergy who have been under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Church since as early as 2020. The Metropolia of Bessarabia says that the announced «deprivations of dignity» have no canonical or legal force, since the priests in question and their congregations have not belonged to the Orthodox Church of Moldova for several years. These actions are called «a clear challenge to the canonical order of the Church» and a manifestation of frustration against the background of «the natural dynamics of the return of more and more congregations and priests to the bosom of the Mother Church — the Romanian Orthodox Church».

In conclusion, the Metropolia of Bessarabia calls on the hierarchs of the PCM to assume moral responsibility and voluntarily resign, and demands the immediate withdrawal of all «slanderous statements and sanctions» against its clergy. At the same time, it reiterates its readiness for dialogue with those representatives of the Chisinau Metropolitanate «who have kept a pure heart and realize the historical and canonical truth».

Recall that the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova (OCM) at a meeting on November 11, 2025 in Chisinau adopted a number of important decisions, including the deprivation of the dignity of eleven clergy who transferred to the Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia of the Romanian Patriarchate. The meeting was held at the Metropolitan Residence and was chaired by Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and All Moldova.